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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 7:24:18 pm

Domestic Cricket: The Road to Team India

India needs a clear selection policy that establishes consistent standards for newcomers and established stars alike. Indian cricket’s domestic circuit has often been described as the foundation on which the national team is built. Yet, there is a need to reinforce a fundamental principle: a place in Team India must be earned through performance, not protected by reputation. Domestic cricket must remain the most credible proving ground for aspiring players, established stars, dropped...

Domestic Cricket: The Road to Team India

India needs a clear selection policy that establishes consistent standards for newcomers and established stars alike. Indian cricket’s domestic circuit has often been described as the foundation on which the national team is built. Yet, there is a need to reinforce a fundamental principle: a place in Team India must be earned through performance, not protected by reputation. Domestic cricket must remain the most credible proving ground for aspiring players, established stars, dropped cricketers and those returning after a break. For an aspiring cricketer, scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy or taking wickets in the Duleep Trophy should carry considerable weight in the selection process. Talent may open the door, but sustained performance in competitive conditions should determine whether a player deserves to walk through it. Reputation and potential cannot become permanent substitutes for runs, wickets and match-winning contributions. The same principle must apply to established international players. India needs a transparent selection policy that clearly establishes when a player is expected to return to domestic cricket, what performance benchmarks will be considered and under what circumstances an exemption may be granted. Without such consistency, selection risks appearing subjective. Different standards could be applied to established stars and those waiting for their first international opportunity. When a Test cricketer is dropped for poor form, returning to domestic cricket should be the natural next step. A few net sessions cannot replicate the pressure of a four-day or five-day contest. A batter needs to spend hours at the crease and negotiate different bowling spells. The player must also convert starts into substantial scores. A bowler needs to demonstrate rhythm, control and stamina, as well as the ability to sustain pressure across long spells. Domestic cricket provides evidence of improvement rather than merely an assurance that a player has been working on his game. Selection should therefore be linked to demonstrated form and readiness, rather than an automatic recall based on past achievements. There is an equally strong case for regular Test players to represent their state teams whenever the international calendar permits. Those who are rested or have a break between two Test series should consider domestic matches an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Red-ball cricket demands a temperament different from that required in shorter formats. The ability to leave deliveries, bat through difficult sessions and negotiate reverse swing cannot be developed entirely in the nets. Players must also learn to maintain concentration over several hours. The selection policy must distinguish between a player who is rested for workload management and one who is dropped for poor performance. A rested player should follow an appropriate preparation and match-readiness plan, while a dropped player should have a clear route back through competitive cricket. Injury-related exemptions must be based on medical advice. International commitments should also be accommodated through sensible scheduling. Most importantly, exemptions should not become privileges reserved for marquee players. If a young cricketer must score consistently in domestic cricket to earn a place, an established international should not be assured selection merely because he has delivered in the past. Seniority deserves respect, but it cannot guarantee a place in the playing XI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the selectors should establish clear expectations for participation in domestic red-ball competitions. Workload management, injury rehabilitation and national duty should be recognised as legitimate grounds for exemption. Such a policy would improve accountability, strengthen the Ranji Trophy and give selectors a more reliable basis for assessing form. Domestic cricket also benefits from the participation of international players. It allows younger cricketers to test themselves against experienced opponents and learn the demands of elite competition. Ultimately, domestic cricket should be neither a punishment for failure nor a ceremonial obligation. It must be an integral part of a cricketer’s professional life. Team India selection must be a merit-based process, not a privilege earned through reputation. For newcomers, domestic cricket is the route to recognition; for dropped players, it is the path to redemption; and for established stars, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that they remain worthy of the national colours.

‘H1B overhaul will favour highly talented youth’

Writer: Ruddhi Phadke
Ruddhi Phadke
Sep 30, 2025
5 min read

The US visa fee is set to rise by 148 per cent for non-petition-based visas, including B1/B2 for Business, Tourism, Medical treatment, Visitor Visas, F-1, F2, and student visas, including transit visas.

Ever since Donald Trump began his second innings as the 47th President of the United States, life has not been kind to Indians who are either planning further education in America or are already working there. From immigration raids to attempts to end birthright citizenship, from a heightened scrutiny of Green Card holders to now the H-1B visa overhaul - this has been a year of uncertainty, struggle, and endless recalibration for those chasing the American dream. Indians account for nearly 71 percent of all H-1B visa holders. If visa fees are raised to match the salaries of these techies, will firms still hire Indian immigrants? Mumbai-based overseas education consultant Karan Gupta, who has more than 20 years of experience in the field, speaks exclusively to 'The Perfect Voice' on the matter that is giving headaches to thousands of Indian families at home and abroad. Gupta explains who should worry and who should not.


The Trump administration has proposed a major overhaul of the H-1B visa selection process, causing confusion and concern, especially among Indian techies. Your thoughts.


The proposed shift from a random lottery to a wage-based system does create anxiety, especially for Indian professionals. But for students who study in the US and build strong skill sets, this could actually work in their favour. Highly skilled graduates are exactly the kind of talent the US wants to retain.


The increased fees for new H-1B visas in the United States are showing consequences, leading organisations to explore alternative visa categories. Will these new rules last for long?

A) Fee hikes always trigger short-term adjustments as companies look at L-1s, O-1s or relocating roles abroad. Historically, these rules evolve with every administration. They may not last in their current form, but they will push firms to diversify their hiring and visa strategies.


Presently, Indians account for nearly 71 percent of all H-1B visa holders, followed by China (12 percent). If the new wage-based selection process is implemented, it will mostly impact companies seeking to hire lower-wage workers from India and China. What does your study say?

Yes, companies that rely on lower-wage talent may face setbacks. But my analysis shows that graduates from US universities, especially in tech and business, will remain competitive. The policy is designed to prioritise high-skill, high-wage roles - an area where many Indian students already shine.


After Trump’s shock move, companies may pass 30–70 percent of the H-1B visa fee hike to clients. Your thoughts.

That is inevitable in the short run as costs always trickle downstream. But in the long run, businesses will re-evaluate where to base their teams. Some of that work will shift to India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia, where companies can still deliver value without the visa burden.


Will a $100k H-1B fee threaten Indian students’ dreams?

It sounds dramatic, but for serious students it will not end opportunities. If you graduate from a strong US university, employers still need your skills. They may be more selective, but the best students will continue to get hired and sponsored.


Is there a drop in student visa applications in India? Are Indian students suffering a rise in rejection of student visas to the US?

Student visa rejections for Indians are rising and the new wage-linked H-1B rules add more uncertainty. These changes are designed to prioritise higher-wage, highly skilled jobs. For Indian students, the message is clear: focus on strong academics, pick the right universities, and aim for career tracks where salaries and skills align with US policy goals. That remains the path that keeps the American door open.


What is the L1 category of visa, and how different is it from the H-1B?

The L-1 is a company transfer visa that allows multinationals to send managers, executives, or staff with specialised knowledge to their US offices. It is not a lottery system like the H-1B.


Is the H-1B visa fee as big as the salary of most of these visa holders? Can companies afford so much? Is there a fear of losing jobs for Indian techies?

The new $100,000 H-1B petition fee is almost as much as what many entry-level tech workers earn in a year. For companies, that is a huge upfront cost, especially if they hire large numbers of Indian graduates. Big firms can absorb it, but smaller employers may pull back, creating uncertainty. The fear for Indian techies is real: if employers cut back on filings, jobs could shrink at the entry level. The broader message is that the US wants fewer low-wage visas and more high-wage, high-skill roles.


Will mass returns of immigrants create chaos in India?

If large numbers came back suddenly, yes, there would be disruption. But realistically, most adjust by moving to Canada, Germany, or the UK, rather than all returning at once. What India needs to do is prepare to absorb returning talent into start-ups, research, and entrepreneurship.


Will the US economy be impacted?

The US economy has long depended on immigrant talent to fuel innovation. Restricting H-1Bs may benefit a few in the short term, but in the long term it risks slowing down sectors like tech and healthcare. The US has to balance politics with economic reality.


Are Germany, Canada, and the UK emerging as alternatives?

Absolutely. Germany has opened its doors with new visas. Canada continues to be welcoming with clear PR pathways. The UK has expanded post-study work visas. Indian professionals have more choices than ever before.


Should H-1B parents with US-born children worry?

No. A child born in the US is a US citizen by law. Parents may face immigration hurdles, but the child’s status is secure. Under the 14th Amendment, a baby born in the United States is automatically a US citizen, regardless of the parents’ visa. Nothing has changed here. If parents must return to India, their US-born child can get a visa from the Indian consulate and travel with them. Parents are only deported if they reside illegally. In such cases, they must self-deport, as they are in violation of US law.


Why do Indians chase dreams abroad despite struggles?

They go because of opportunities - higher pay, cutting-edge research, exposure, and structured systems. India is improving, but many still feel they do not get the same global exposure, merit-based growth, or infrastructure at home. Until that gap narrows, Indians will keep looking outward.


What advice will you give to young Indian students who are still making up their mind to apply to universities in the US for further education?

Despite the uncertainty, the US remains one of the best destinations for higher education. My advice to Indian students is to focus on strong academics, choose reputable universities, and think about career paths that lead to high-skill, high-wage jobs, because that’s where US immigration policies are most favourable. Go in with a clear plan; not just for your degree, but for how it connects to your long-term career.

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